Germany qualify routing Ukraine 4-1

Germany score three early goals and rout Ukraine 4-1 in the second match of their two-leg play-off on Wednesday in Dortmund to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Written by NDTVSports

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Dortmund:

Germany scored three early goals and routed Ukraine 4-1 in the second match of their two-leg play-off on Wednesday in Dortmund to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. The two teams drew 1-1 in Kiev in the first leg and their win at home means the three-time World champions secure their place, winning the 5-2 aggregate after a shaky start to their World Cup campaign.
Belgium are through to the 2002 World Cup finals after a 1-0 win (2-0 on aggregate) over the Czech Republic in Prague on Wednesday. Turkey claimed their place in next year's World Cup finals with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Austria in Istanbul on Wednesday. Underdogs Slovenia qualified for their first ever World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw against Romania in Bucharest on Wednesday night, giving them a 3-2 aggregate win.
Germany vs Ukraine
Germany got off to a dream start against Ukraine. Michael Ballack opened the scoring with a powerful header. Eight minutes later, Germany had a 2-0 lead. Marko Rehmer's header was saved but Oliver Neuville pounced on the loose ball to score from close range.
In the 15th minute Germany, considered to be the best team in the air, got their third goal from a corner. Six-minutes into the second half, Ballack pounced on another Neuville cross to give Germany it's 4th goal.
AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko grabbed Ukraine's only goal of the match thanks to some slack German defending in the final minute.
The victory allows Germany to maintain its record of qualifying for every World Cup which it has entered.
Belgium vs Czech Republic
Belgium also secured their place in the 2002 World cup with a 1-0 win over the Czech republic, going through 2 nil on aggregate. The only goal of the match came with just five minutes remaining.
Turkey vs Austria
The Turkish team looked to be in top form against visitors Austria. Yildiray Basturk took full advantage and slipped the ball under the advancing goalkeeper to give the home side the lead after 21 minutes. By the 45th minute, Turkey were 3-0 up, with goals from Hakan Sukur and Okan.
But Austria's misery wasn't over yet, the home side with two more goals in the second half for a 5 nil scoreline, as Turkey reached their first World Cup finals since 1954 with a 6-0 aggregate.
Slovenia vs Romania
Slovenia opened the scoring against Romania ten minutes into the second half when Djoni Novak's pass was deftly shot into the goal by Mladen Rudonja.
Romania equalised in the 65th minute, with a fierce 30 yard drive from Cosmin Contra. Slovenia held on for a 1-1 draw, which gave them a 3-2 aggregate score. They are now through to their first World Cup.
So that makes it 14 teams that have qualified from Europe, notable absentee being Holland and Slovenia are the first timers. Europe could get a 15th spot depending on the result of the Ireland-Iran second leg playoff. Ireland had won the first leg 2-0. If Iran manages to qualify then Asia will have an unprecedented 5 spots in 2002.